Halvor Johansen

Halvor Utoft Johansen, 91, passed away at home on Thursday, August 6, 2015. He was born on June 1, 1924 in Tyler, Minnesota to Johan P. and Sigrid U. Johansen. Following graduation from Tyler High School, he served in the United States Army Air Corps (USAF) and served as Captain of a B-17 bomber overseeing a ten man crew. He later graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He moved to Southern California where he was an Engineering Project Manager at Aerojet. Here he met Edith Evenden, who would become his wife of over 63 years. In 1968 they moved to Idaho Falls where he earned his Master’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Idaho. He worked at INEL and was Manager of Projects at the Chemical Processing Plant at the time of his retirement. He was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church. His lifelong passion for airplanes saw him own and fly various aircraft throughout his life. He used his meticulous craftsman skills to build two Lancair aircraft, which he flew all over the country, and a Hatz bi-plane. For numerous years he served as President of the Eastern Idaho Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 407. He had a lifetime love of horses, from his childhood pony to showing Arabian horses. He loved riding his half Arabian, W.C. Paint. For many years he served as President of the Upper Snake River Valley Arabian Horse Club. A related hobby, leather braiding, resulted in finely detailed pieces of hand braided horse tack. He enjoyed skiing, backpacking, dancing, and building furniture. He was a member of the Bonneville County Historical Society, helping with the development of the Museum of Idaho and serving as its Vice President for three terms. He belonged to the Sons of Norway. He is survived by his wife, Edith; daughters Marie (Gary) LaMunyan and Kathi Wharton; grandchildren Erin, Greg (Emily), John, Rob (Josie) and Evan; seven nieces and four nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and three brothers. Services will be held at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 455 W. Sunnyside Road, on Saturday, August 29 at 2:00 pm. The family will visit with friends an hour prior to the service. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers from Home Health and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Hal’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association, Research (www.alz.org) or First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Idaho Falls. Private interment will take place at a later date.

Funeral Services will be held

2:00 p.m. ,Saturday, August 29, 2015 First Evangelical Lutheran Church 455 West Sunnyside Road Idaho Falls, ID, Bonneville Notes: The family will visit with friends an hour prior to the service. Private interment will take place at a later date.